Come be part of the Ozarks Area Racers Foundation event today.”,”delight_ranges”:[],”image_ranges”:[],”inline_style_ranges”:[],”aggregated_ranges”:[],”ranges”:[{“entity”:{“__typename”:”User”,”__isEntity”:”User”,”__isActor”:”User”,”id”:”100064504972213″,”url”:”https://www.facebook.com/OzarkAreaRacersFoundation”,”profile_url”:”https://www.facebook.com/OzarkAreaRacersFoundation”,”short_name”:”Ozarks Area Racers Foundation”,”work_info”:null,”__module_operation_CometTextWithEntitiesRelay_textWithEntities”:{“__dr”:”ProfileGeminiWeakReferenceLink_user$normalization.graphql
Come be part of the Ozarks Area Racers Foundation event today.
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Sound Check for the Ozarks Area Racers Foundation tomorrow night!! nnJoin us as we honor the 2026 class for the 38th annual Ozarks Area Racers Foundation Hall of Fame, with the ceremonies scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 31, at the Ozark Empire Fair and E-Plex.nn2026 Ozarks Area Racers Foundation Hall of Fame Inductees AnnouncednnThe Ozarks Area Racers Foundation is proud to celebrate its 38th annual Hall of Fame class on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds E-Plex in Springfield, Missouri.nThis year’s inductees represent the best of Ozarks racing, honored in two categories: Legends (recognizing outstanding driving achievements) and Pioneers (celebrating off-track contributors including car owners, mechanics, sponsors, and media professionals).nn2026 LEGENDS INDUCTEESnBrian Brown – Lebanon, MissourinA 30-year racing veteran who competed on both asphalt and dirt tracks across seven states. Brown’s impressive career includes eight track championships and over 100 feature wins at regional speedways, including Lebanon I-44 Speedway and Historic Bolivar Speedway.nnTerry Deatherage – Wichita, KansasnA versatile competitor in multiple premier series including USAC Stock Car Series, ASA, World of Outlaws Late Model Series, and NCRA Racing Series Late Models. Deatherage earned three first-place points championships racing on both paved and dirt ovals.nnEric Turner – Hermitage, MissourinOver his 30-season career, Turner dominated multiple divisions with more than 200 victories in Open Late Models, Factory Stocks, and Modifieds. A regular competitor at Lucas Oil Speedway among other tracks, Turner recently retired from racing.nnAlan Vaughn – Belton, MissourinAn all-time great in MLRA (Midwest Latemodel Racing Association) competition, Vaughn captured the 1985 MLRA championship and remained a consistent contender throughout his distinguished career on the circuit.nn2026 PIONEERS INDUCTEESnnRussell Baker – Miami, OklahomanFounder of Baker Racing Engines, this self-taught machinist began building engines at age 18. His motors powered champions including Bill Frye, Billy Moyer, Wendell Wallace, and Dale McDowell.nnDonnie Kratzberg – Fort Smith, ArkansasnFounded Southwest Speed in 1975, which grew into one of the Midwest’s premier suppliers of auto performance parts and racing equipment.nnGene Morton – Springfield, MissourinA go-kart racer who served the MLRA in various capacities while supporting his son JC Morton’s successful racing career. Gene passed away in early 2025 and is remembered for his dedication to Ozarks racing.nnMelanie Wynn – Hartville, MissourinA dedicated racing photographer for over 15 years, Wynn has documented the action at several Ozarks tracks, preserving countless memories for the racing community.nnEVENT DETAILSnWhen: Saturday, January 31, 2026nWhere: Ozark Empire Fairgrounds E-Plex, Springfield, MissourinDoors Open: 2:30 PMnAutograph Session: 3:30-4:15 PMnCeremony Begins: 5:00 PMnSpecial Features:n- Racing memorabilia and race cars from different eras on displayn-
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Move in has started for the 2026 Ozarks Area Racers Foundation reunion.
We hope to see you there as the event we were attending has been canceled.
2026 Ozarks Area Racers Foundation Hall of Fame Inductees Announced
The Ozarks Area Racers Foundation is proud to celebrate its 38th annual Hall of Fame class on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds E-Plex in Springfield, Missouri.
This year’s inductees represent the best of Ozarks racing, honored in two categories: Legends (recognizing outstanding driving achievements) and Pioneers (celebrating off-track contributors including car owners, mechanics, sponsors, and media professionals).
2026 LEGENDS INDUCTEES
Brian Brown – Lebanon, Missouri
A 30-year racing veteran who competed on both asphalt and dirt tracks across seven states. Brown’s impressive career includes eight track championships and over 100 feature wins at regional speedways, including Lebanon I-44 Speedway and Historic Bolivar Speedway.
Terry Deatherage – Wichita, Kansas
A versatile competitor in multiple premier series including USAC Stock Car Series, ASA, World of Outlaws Late Model Series, and NCRA Racing Series Late Models. Deatherage earned three first-place points championships racing on both paved and dirt ovals.
Eric Turner – Hermitage, Missouri
Over his 30-season career, Turner dominated multiple divisions with more than 200 victories in Open Late Models, Factory Stocks, and Modifieds. A regular competitor at Lucas Oil Speedway among other tracks, Turner recently retired from racing.
Alan Vaughn – Belton, Missouri
An all-time great in MLRA (Midwest Latemodel Racing Association) competition, Vaughn captured the 1985 MLRA championship and remained a consistent contender throughout his distinguished career on the circuit.
2026 PIONEERS INDUCTEES
Russell Baker – Miami, Oklahoma
Founder of Baker Racing Engines, this self-taught machinist began building engines at age 18. His motors powered champions including Bill Frye, Billy Moyer, Wendell Wallace, and Dale McDowell.
Donnie Kratzberg – Fort Smith, Arkansas
Founded Southwest Speed in 1975, which grew into one of the Midwest’s premier suppliers of auto performance parts and racing equipment.
Gene Morton – Springfield, Missouri
A go-kart racer who served the MLRA in various capacities while supporting his son JC Morton’s successful racing career. Gene passed away in early 2025 and is remembered for his dedication to Ozarks racing.
Melanie Wynn – Hartville, Missouri
A dedicated racing photographer for over 15 years, Wynn has documented the action at several Ozarks tracks, preserving countless memories for the racing community.
EVENT DETAILS
When: Saturday, January 31, 2026
Where: Ozark Empire Fairgrounds E-Plex, Springfield, Missouri
Doors Open: 2:30 PM
Autograph Session: 3:30-4:15 PM
Ceremony Begins: 5:00 PM
Special Features:
– Racing memorabilia and race cars from different eras on display
– “Salute to Champions” program featuring 2025 track champions from area speedways
– Meet and greet with inductees
Tickets:
– Advance: $15 (available at area O’Reilly Auto Parts locations beginning early January)
– At the Door: $20
– Ages 12 and Under: FREE
With this 2026 class, the Ozarks Area Racers Foundation Hall of Fame will honor a total of 249 members who have shaped racing history in the Ozarks region.
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For more information about the Ozarks Area Racers Foundation Hall of Fame and this year’s inductees, follow us on Facebook or visit the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds.
#OzarksRacing #HallOfFame #DirtTrackRacing #MissouriRacing #OzarksAreaRacers #RacingHistory #SpringfieldMO
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The Ozark Area Racers Foundation Event is Fast approaching; Drivers still have time to display that new wrap and be a part of this Great Event. Several Cars & Karts from the Dirt/Pavement on display!!! Each Kart on display will get 2 Free tickets to the Event and Kids under 12 are FREE!!!!!!! Discount Tickets on Sale at your local Oreilly’s Auto Parts Stores for Friends/Fans wanting to attend. Karts can be brought to the Event to the Springfield Fairgrounds West E-plex Doors- Saturday January 31st by 10am and be on a Kart stand if all possible. Shoot me a Text or respond in the Comments if you would like to Display your Kart. Doors open at 2pm with the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at 5pm. There will be Cars, Karts, Area Track Memorabilia, Inductee Autographs, Silent Auction Items and more… One of the Silent Auction Items being a Richard Petty work shirt worn by the ”King” and Autographed! (A Great Collector Piece)
Championship Drivers from the 2025 Twister Alley Race Season will be Recognized, with 2 Twister Drivers being Awarded Ozark Area Racers Foundation College Scholarships!!!!!
Concession Stand will be open!!!! Come rub elbows with local Drivers Past/Present!!!! Atmosphere will be like being at the Track!!!!
Like and Share!!!!! Hope to See you There!!!!!
We’re Twister Alley!!!! Come Get Some!!!!!
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Today we removed the Ozarks Area Racers Foundation monument from the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame property which is being repurposed. It was transported to Greenlawn Monument to be returned to the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds at a later date. We want to thank all the employees at Greenlawn for their hard work and careful preparation during the move,and to R&D Crane Service for getting us in their schedule.
Live at the 2025 Ozarks Area Racers Foundation Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony
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Come join us as the Ozarks Area Racers Foundation here at the Ozark Empire Fair.
Come stop by and see us at the Ozarks Area Racers Foundation at 2:30 this afternoon!!!
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